YouTube Music moved to quarterly feature recaps

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YouTube Music moved to quarterly feature recaps

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It seems that YouTube Music is always coming out with some new features. Well, that’s true, as the company pushed out new features on a bi-monthly basis. However, that has just changed. According to the company, YouTube Music has moved to quarterly feature recaps.

Over the years, YouTube Music adopted a bi-monthly feature recap schedule. Every two months, we would get a recap of the new features added to YouTube Music. However, the company announced that this will be put on a quarterly basis. So, we will see these recaps every three months. This means fewer recaps for the year. However, it does not mean that YouTube music is slowing down with its new features.

YouTube Music is on a quarterly feature recap schedule

Along with this announcement, YouTube gave us the recap for the past couple of months. For starters, while you are playing music, you will see a little moving equalizer animation playing. These will be the little lines expanding and contracting when a song is playing. Well, the little equalizer animation will move to the beat of your music. So, it will look like an actual equalizer.

Another notable feature that hit YouTube Music not too long ago was the new Samples shelf. If you are unfamiliar with what Samples are, these are the TikTok-style portrait slices of music videos. Much like TikToks, Shorts, and Reels, you can flip through a vertically scrolling feed of these videos. They are a way of exposing you to more content based on your listening habits. You’ll be able to discover music videos of songs from artists you listen to often.

Well, the company put a horizontally scrolling shelf of Samples on the home screen. This gives them a spot where they are easily discoverable in the app.

Aside from these features, YouTube Music has also been revamping the Now Playing screen. It has been moving the buttons around and revamping the overall look and feel. So, the screen now should look much different than it did months ago.

While YouTube Music has moved to a quarterly update recap schedule, there will still be no shortage of new features coming to the platform.

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Congress Bans Staff Use of Microsoft’s AI Copilot

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Congress Bans Staff Use of Microsoft’s AI Copilot

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Data Security Fears: Congress Bans Staff Use of Microsoft's AI Copilot

U.S. House Bans Staff from Using Microsoft’s Copilot Amid Data Security Concerns – The AI coding assistant, recently released to the public, is deemed a risk due to potential data leakage – Learn more about the controversy and the future of AI in government workplaces.

In a move highlighting growing anxieties around data security, the U.S. House of Representatives has reportedly banned congressional staffers from using Microsoft’s AI coding assistant, Copilot. This comes just weeks after Microsoft announced the official public release of AI Copilot on March 14th, 2024.

The ban, implemented by the House’s Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor, reportedly stems from concerns about potential data leakage. According to a report from Axios, Szpindor’s office believes AI Copilot “poses a risk to users due to the threat of leaking House data to non-House approved cloud services.”

Concerns Over Data Security

Copilot, an AI tool integrated within Microsoft’s development environment, analyzes a programmer’s code and suggests completions or entire lines of code. This can significantly boost productivity for developers. However, the tool relies on a massive dataset of publicly available code, raising concerns about potential security vulnerabilities.

The House’s Office of Cybersecurity reportedly fears that sensitive congressional data could be inadvertently incorporated into this vast codebase, potentially exposing it to unauthorized access.

Microsoft Responds

Microsoft has acknowledged the concerns raised by the House and emphasized its commitment to government user security. A Microsoft spokesperson, speaking to Reuters, stated, “We recognize that government users have higher security requirements for data. That’s why we announced a roadmap of Microsoft AI tools, like Copilot, that meet federal government security and compliance requirements that we intend to deliver later this year.”

Wider Implications

The House’s decision to ban AI Copilot reflects a broader trend of increased scrutiny surrounding AI tools that access user data. While AI offers immense potential for efficiency and innovation, concerns about data privacy and security remain significant.

Commenting on this, Callie Guenther, Senior Manager, Cyber Threat Research at Critical Start argued that the US government is cautious about regulating AI due to concerns like data security and bias.

“The ban on congressional staffers’ use of Microsoft AI Copilot highlights the government’s careful approach to AI while trying to regulate it. The risks include data security, potential bias, dependence on external platforms, and opaque AI processes,“ Callie pointed out.

“The industry must enhance security, improve transparency, develop government-specific solutions, and support ongoing evaluation to address these concerns. Congress might reconsider its stance if these issues are effectively addressed, especially with government-tailored AI versions demonstrating high security and ethical standards,” she advised.

Uncertain Future

The House’s ban is a strict one, targeting all commercially available versions of AI Copilot. However, Szpindor’s office did indicate they would “be evaluating the government version when it becomes available and deciding at that time.” This suggests a potential path forward if Microsoft can address the House’s security concerns.

It remains to be seen if other government agencies or private companies will follow suit and implement similar restrictions on AI Copilot. However, this incident indicates the need for data security practices in a world increasingly reliant on AI tools.

  1. To Spy or Not to Spy; Congress to Decide
  2. US Congress Dumps Yahoo Mail Over Phishing Attacks
  3. Malicious Ads Infiltrate Bing AI Chatbot in Malvertising Attack
  4. U.S Senate wants to ban Kaspersky’ Software for Links to Russia
  5. AI Healthcare: ChatGPT Helps Boy Get Diagnosis After Doctors Fail
  6. Researchers Test Zero-click Worms that Exploit Generative AI Apps



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Free VPN apps turn Android phones into criminal proxies

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Free VPN apps turn Android phones into criminal proxies

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Researchers at HUMAN’s Satori Threat Intelligence have discovered a disturbing number of VPN apps that turn users’ devices into proxies for cybercriminals without their knowledge, as part of a camapign called PROXYLIB.

Cybercriminals and state actors like to send their traffic through other people’s devices, known as proxies. This allows them to use somebody else’s resources to get their work done, it masks the origin of their attacks so they are less likely to get blocked, and it makes it easy for them to keep operating if one of their proxies is blocked.

An entire underground market of proxy networks exists to service this desire, offering cybercriminals flexible, scalable platfroms from which to launch activities like advertising fraud, password spraying, and credential stuffing attacks.

The researchers at HUMAN found 28 apps on Google Play that turned unsuspecting Android devices into proxies for criminals. 17 of the apps were free VPNs. All of them have now been removed from Google Play.

The operation was dubbed PROXYLIB after a code library shared by all the apps that was responsible for enrolling devices into the ciminal network.

HUMAN also found hundreds of apps in third-party repositories that appeared to use the LumiApps toolkit, a Software Development Kit (SDK) which can be used to load PROXYLIB. They also tied PROXYLIB to another platform that specializes in selling access to proxy nodes, called Asocks.

Protection and removal

Android users are now automatically protected from the PROXYLIB attack by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services.

The affected apps can be uninstalled using a mobile device’s uninstall functionality. However, apps like these may be made available under different names in future, which is where apps like Malwarebytes for Android can help.

Recommendations to stay clear of PROXYLIB are:

Victims of novel attacks like PROXYLIB might notice slow traffic, because their bandwidth is in use for other purposes. And at some point their IP address may be blocked by websites and other services.

The researchers included a list of applications they uncovered as part of PROXYLIB. If you installed any of the apps on the list before they were removed from Google Play you will need to uninstall them.

We don’t just report on privacy—we offer you the option to use it.

Privacy risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep your online privacy yours by using Malwarebytes Privacy VPN.

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NSFW Communities arriving on X for adult content

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NSFW Communities arriving on X for adult content

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X (formerly Twitter) is about to roll out some big updates to its platform, especially in its “Communities” section, which is akin to a subreddit-style grouping. These adjustments coincide with rumors that Elon Musk, who now owns the business, is trying to enable NSFW (Not Safe For Work) groups.

Dong Wook Chung, an engineer at X, verified the information in a recent article. According to Chung, the app’s Communities function would soon automatically filter out offensive information. Furthermore, administrators will soon be able to circumvent the automatic screening procedure by designating places as containing “adult content” using the settings.

Researchers have noticed indications before this confirmation that X intended to provide options for “adult-sensitive” material. Although X presently permits users to publish explicit content and nudity, several areas of the app—like profile pictures and cover images for Communities—prohibit such content.

Twitter experimented with a similar feature in 2021

It’s interesting to note that Elon Musk wasn’t involved with the firm before the Communities function. Twitter was experimenting with a similar idea in 2021 to make its site a more personal place for talks. Twitter stands out for allowing pornographic content but has not publicly considered adding NSFW features for Communities.

Furthermore, rumors circulated that Twitter has contemplated creating a rival to OnlyFans via its creator membership service in 2022. The newsletter mentioned concerns about worsening illicit child exploitation content causing the concept’s abandonment.

It’s unclear where X’s leadership stands on these issues at the moment. Chung restated in another article that new filters aim to automatically remove adult content to enhance safety in Communities. Chung said only those who declare their age can visit NSFW content in Communities.

Upcoming adjustments show X’s commitment to providing a safer and more personalized user experience in Communities as the platform evolves. X seeks to empower admins while maintaining a secure environment for all users, with the primary goal being user safety.



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After Denial, AT&T Confirms Data Breach Affecting 73 Million Users

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After Denial, AT&T Confirms Data Breach Affecting 73 Million Users

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After Denial, AT&T Confirms Data Breach Affecting 73 Million Users

Millions of AT&T customers are questioning the company’s transparency, after the telecom giant finally confirmed a massive data breach impacting a staggering 73 million current and former customers.

AT&T has finally confirmed a massive data breach impacting a whopping 73 million (73,481,539) current and former customers. This comes after weeks of speculation and accusations of a cover-up following the discovery of the leaked data on the the notorious hacking and cyber crime platform BreachForums.

The data breach, which involved Social Security numbers, passcodes, and potentially other personal information, was first discovered in mid-March. Cybersecurity researchers immediately noted similarities to a possible breach from 2021 that AT&T never acknowledged.

After Denial, AT&T Confirms Data Breach Affecting 73 Million Users
AT&T database on BreachForums (Screenshot: Hackread.com)

Initial Denial and Mounting Pressure

The data was leaked on Sunday March 17, 2024. However, AT&T initially denied any data breaches, despite reports from security researchers like Troy Hunt, founder of Have I Been Pwned. Hunt pointed out that the leaked data closely resembled a breach from 2021 that was attempted to be sold online by a hacker known as “Shiny Hunters.”

This denial raised concerns about AT&T’s transparency and potential legal ramifications. Experts pointed out that failing to disclose a data breach promptly could violate consumer protection laws.

Confirmation and Investigation

Under mounting pressure, AT&T finally confirmed the data breach on March 30th. The company stated they were unaware of the source of the breach, suggesting it could have originated from AT&T’s systems or a vendor.

They also announced that they had already reset passcodes for current users and would be reaching out to impacted individuals. Additionally, AT&T will be offering complimentary identity theft and credit monitoring services.

Lingering Questions

While AT&T has confirmed the breach, questions remain.

  • Why did it take so long for AT&T to acknowledge the breach, especially considering the potential similarities to the 2021 incident?
  • What specific data was compromised, and how will it impact affected customers?
  • Is AT&T conducting a thorough investigation to identify the source of the breach and prevent future incidents?

AT&T has yet to address these questions publicly. It’s likely that the company will face lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny in the coming months.

This data breach goes onto show the importance of cybersecurity and data protection. Consumers should remain vigilant and take steps to protect their personal information, such as monitoring credit reports and using strong, unique passwords.

  1. ShinyHunters dump partial database of broker firm Upstox
  2. Online exam tool ProctorU admits breach by Shiny Hunters
  3. ShinyHunters leaks 5.22GB worth of Mashable.com database
  4. Minted confirms data breach as Shiny Hunters sell its database
  5. Google funded delivery service Dunzo hacked by Shiny Hunters



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Chrome for Android will let you customize your tab groups

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Chrome for Android will let you customize your tab groups

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Google has come a long way in making tab groups on the mobile version of Chrome not so annoying. When this feature first came out, it was met with a very lukewarm response. However, according to a new report, Chrome for Android will let you customize your tab groups.

Google introduced tab groups to Chrome quite some time ago. They allow you to join tabs together in neat groups so that they don’t take up so much space. Using the mobile version of Chrome, you will see your tabs grouped into grid-style folders. However, there was no real way to customize the tab groups.

Google Chrome for Android will allow you to customize your tab groups

Right now, this feature is still in testing. So, you are going to have to wait for it to reach your phone if you are not a beta tester. As spotted by @Leopeva64 on X, Chrome for Android will show a new dialog box when you create a new tab. When you see the new dialog, you will have some customization options to edit the tab group. These options allow you to rename it and choose a color. One of the main benefits of tab groups on Chrome for desktop is the ability to change the color of the tab. That allows you to better differentiate between groups rather than having to give it a name. This saves space; instead of having a name spelled out, you will have a colored dot.

In the dialog, you will see a text field to enter a name. Also, you will have the option to choose between one of Google’s several pastel colors. When you choose a color, you will see a little colored dot at the top left-hand corner of the tab group. You will then see the name of the group right next to the dot.

This will better allow you to customize groups on Android. It might actually convince more people to use them. Being able to change up your tab groups makes the feature much more convenient to use. One issue that many users had was not being able to tell which groups were which.



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Microsoft is spinning off Teams into its own service

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Microsoft is spinning off Teams into its own service

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Once a company is big and has a strong foothold in a market, you can bet that regulators are going to be peeking in. A while back, Microsoft was compelled to spin off Teams from Office 365 into its own service in the EU. This was partially due to a complaint from Slack that bundling Teams into such a widely used application platform constitutes anti-competitive practices. Well, Microsoft is spinning off Teams from Office 365 globally.

Microsoft Office 365 is the company’s equivalent to Google Workspace. It is a suite of applications and services that companies and users can use for business. Office 365 includes services such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook, Etc. Rather than paying a lump sum for the service like in the old days, Microsoft 365 costs a monthly fee.

Teams is the company’s primary communications platform. It’s the equivalent of Slack in that you’re able to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues.

Microsoft is spinning off Teams from Office 365

Microsoft Office is and has been an industry standard for businesses around the world. This means that Office 365 is used by a metric ton of people. However, Slack did not take too kindly to this. Since Office is so ubiquitous, it felt that users are basically forced into using the Office communications platform. This, ostensibly, means that it’s much harder for other communication platforms to make it to other users. That is Slack’s complaint.

Right now, since Microsoft is in the midst of an ongoing anti-competition lawsuit in the EU, it seems necessary that the company should spin off Teams into its own service. This seems to be a move to take some of the heat off of the company while the EU is digging into it.

So, people signing up for a new Office 365 plan will not have access to Teams. Rather, they will have to buy a separate subscription service for it. Buying a separate plan for Teams will cost the user $5.25/month. With the diminished selection of services, Office 365 will then cost $7.75/month.

However, if you already have a Microsoft 365 plan, and you’ve been using Teams, you can still access it using your account. This new plan only applies to new signups. However, at this point, we don’t know how long Microsoft will provide Teams for existing customers.

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Galaxy S20, S20 FE & Tab Active 3 get March update in the US

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Galaxy S20, S20 FE & Tab Active 3 get March update in the US

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Samsung‘s Galaxy S20 series may not get feature updates anymore but the devices are still picking up security patches regularly. The entire lineup, including the Galaxy S20 FE, received the March 2024 security update last month. Following an international rollout, the update is available widely in the US. The Galaxy Tab Active 3 is also getting the March SMR (Security Maintenance Release) stateside.

The Galaxy S20 series gets Samsung’s March 2024 update in the US

The March 2024 update is available widely for carrier-locked and unlocked variants of the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra in the US. The new firmware build numbers for the phones are G98*USQS8HXC1 (locked) and G98*U1UES8HXC1 (unlocked). The update for the FE model is also rolling out widely. The device is getting the build numbers G781USQSEHXC1 and G781U1UESEGXC1, respectively.

The latest updates for these phones don’t bring anything more than last month’s security fixes from Google and Samsung. The former patched more than 30 vulnerabilities across various Android components, including two critical vulnerabilities. The Korean firm, on the other hand, patched nine security issues exclusive to the Galaxy family. These issues don’t exist on other Android devices.

The March SMR is also available for the Galaxy Tab Active 3 in the US. The rugged mid-range Android tablet from 2020 is picking up the update with the build number T577UUES8EXC1. It is a similar changelog for the device. Samsung is pushing nothing more than the 40-odd vulnerability patches discussed above. This isn’t surprising as the Galaxy Tab Active 3 is also done getting feature updates from Samsung.

Like the Galaxy S20 lineup, it debuted with Android 10. While the 2020 flagship smartphones, including the FE model, received three major Android OS updates (Android 11, Android 12, and Android 13), the rugged tablet only picked up two of those. Samsung promises four major updates for most Galaxy devices launched since 2021. Some newer models get security updates for as many as eight years.

The April update is on the way for eligible Galaxy devices

We may have just stepped into April but Samsung has already started pushing the April update to eligible Galaxy devices. The Galaxy S24 series picked it up last week. The company will soon roll out the latest security patch to other models, including the Galaxy S23 and recent foldables. The Korean firm has yet to detail the content of the patch, though. Like before, the April SMR should fix several dozen vulnerabilities across the Galaxy family.

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Google Chat may borrow this popular WhatsApp feature

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Google Chat may borrow this popular WhatsApp feature

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We all know the feeling – group chats can get crazy. That constant stream of messages can be distracting, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects. Well, it looks like Google Chat is taking on the chaos with a rumored new feature called “Announcements”.

This sounds a lot like what we’ve seen on WhatsApp Channels and those X/Twitter Spaces. If you haven’t tried them, these features let a select few send messages to a big audience, kind of like a one-way megaphone.

What are Google Chat “Announcements”?

Thanks to the efforts of Android code expert @AssembleDebug (via Android Central), we have our first peek at how “Announcements” might work in Google Chat. Sure, we’re still missing some details, but the idea is clear. Looks like Google Chat spaces may soon have two flavors: the classic collaborative kind, and the new broadcast-focused “Announcements” style.

It looks like it will work this way: regular spaces are for brainstorming and teamwork, whereas the “Announcements” option is all about delivering updates without getting lost in a storm of replies.The big question now is who gets to hold that ‘megaphone’ in an Announcement space? Will it be just the creator of the space, or maybe a few designated announcers? To really compete with all the broadcast messaging tools out there, Google Chat will probably need to offer some flexibility on this.

When it comes to this feature, Google’s got some serious contenders to think about. WhatsApp, Discord, Telegram – they’ve all got this broadcast thing down. Then there’s the workplace side: heavyweights like Slack and Microsoft Teams could be in Google’s crosshairs. However, it does make sense for Google to implement this into Google Chat as it would have everything under one roof, especially with their business-focused Workspace tools.

It sounds promising, but we’ll have to wait for the official launch to see if this “Announcements” idea really takes off. Will it be the tool that adds a bit of order to Google Chat messaging? And will it be enough to sway users to use Chat instead of other solutions already available? Only time will tell.



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